SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Basil D’Cunha
“You cannot go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending”
-Vala –Afshar
One of most significant and saddest aspect of things that COVID-19 has thrown up for us in India is the plight of our so called “migrant labour”. Post COVID (hopefully it will be sooner) we must all focus our attention on how best we can address this huge humanitarian catastrophe and change the ending.
Prior COVID, we all – government included – had taken these our people for granted. So when the shutdown was announced – with just four hours notice – this Tsunami hit with greater ferociousness then COVID. Millions of workers, all over the country, were in moments, without jobs, shelter, and food and to compound it all, no transport to return home, which was hundreds of miles away.
There is a law to protect these migrants called The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 and the rules of this law came into force in Goa in 1982, but it protects, specifically some and not all. The law prescribes what contractors and employers must do – when they employ these people – only if they have five or more migrant workmen on their rolls they must obtain a license.
The law is totally silent on workmen employed in other situations – i.e. where they are less than five. Let us look at the “protected migrants” first – what are they supposed to receive, in terms of benefits when employed:
1. Similar wages as that provided for permanent workers
2. Accommodation
3. Canteen facilities
4. Medical aid and
5. Tickets to and fro from their State
6. Plus many other facilities
While on paper the above looks very re-assuring – the question is reality. Are these benefits given to the workmen? Unfortunately the answer is No. The law does not mention anything for the rest – yet the migrants come, as the job situation in their own States is negligible or they are not compensated adequately. So each morning, we see hundreds of workers in our cities in Goa, coming to the market side, waiting to be picked up for daily jobs. If there are no takers, they just go back to the hutments/slums they came from – hoping the next day will be better. This is how slums started in Goa.
However, we must applaud the few smarter skilled migrants who have entrepreneurial skills. They have got their teams ready to accept sub-contracts for jobs in carpentry, plumbing etc. So these managers provide jobs, also find some accommodation for them, and basically look after their team.
So what about the rest? It is estimated that these number over a lakh of workers (no specific figures are available). Should the government amend the laws? Should these workers register and with that registration get some benefits. It is said that during election time, under the patronage of politicians, these workers are provided with an Aadhaar card, so they could open a bank account and an election card. Other incentives have also been given as TV sets, refrigerators etc. But no mention is made about real benefits like proper housing/water/electricity /toilets/ medical aid and insurance. So when elections are over, they are back to square one.
One thing is certain – these migrants will be back, as they know now, we don’t have the numbers or the willingness to do what they do for us.
So where do we go from here? Some suggestions, if we care for our fellow citizens, for Goa and for India:
For employers/contractors/government
The government inspectors, who are appointed under the law, must ensure that all the provisions of the law are enforced and penalties imposed as prescribed. The law has teeth but inspectors must bite. Government must provide land/water/electricity so group of employers –can build hostels as required with facilities for bathing/toilets/canteens/lockers and a leisure area within a given deadline.
Government for migrant workers who don’t have regular jobs.
One of the key areas of concern for these workers is accommodation. We have heard how some landlords reacted, when their rents were not forthcoming – they threw them out of their homes. So the government must immediately set up hostels for all such workers so they have some sort of comfort in living in Goa. The hostel should have toilet and canteen facilities and basic medical aid. We need them as much as they need us. This will rid the State of slums and open defecation – as is the government’s commitment.
Government must have a register of all migrant workers and they be issued with an identity card. No company or hotel or household must employ people without this card, but instead guide the worker/s on how they could obtain such a card. This card should enable the worker to obtain an aadhaar card/ration card/scooter license/medical insurance etc.
Government must fix minimum wage/working hours and rest days for all such workmen including domestic staff and ensure it is enforced.
Government/employers/households
If a migrant works for a period of three months or more in any establishment (company or household) then they must be paid an extra 10 per cent of their wages as a kind of provident fund or ticket cost to go back home.
NGOs, social activists, trade unions, and political parties
We must insist this happens within an agreed deadline. We should not allow another COVID-like disaster, to bring forth a tsunami for the poor migrants of our land and a disgrace to Goans.
(Basil D’Cunha is a career guidance counsellor who operates from Jesuit House, Panjim)
